Can-cutting machine.



Patented Dec. 5, |899.

No. 633,597. T. J. RICHMOND, In.

CAN CUTTING MACHINE.

(Appueation med my 2, 1899.;

No Model.)

muawILa/L UNITED STATES PATENT OEETOE.,

THOMAS J. RICHMOND, JR., OF EADS, TENNESSEE.

CAN-CUTTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,597', dated December 5, 1899. Application filed May 2,1899. Serial No. 715,327. (No model.`.`

T0 @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS JEFFERSON RICHMOND, Jr., acitizen of the United States, residing at Eads, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Cutting Machines; and I do declare the following` to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to can-cutters, and more particularly to that class of can-opening machines in which the top of the can is cut open in a rapid and expeditious manner by the downward movement of a cylindrical cutter-blade; and the object is to simplify and improve the construction and increase the efficiency and rapidity of manipulation.

To this end the invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved can-cutter. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the base, and 2 2 and 3 the vertical standards, which are connected by the horizontal cross-braces 4 4. The standards 2 2 are connected by the diagonal converging braces 5 5, which support the grooved guide-post 6, and 7 denotes a toothed rack which has a sliding engagement with said grooved post, and 8 denotes the cylindrical cutter, which is removably secured to the lower end of the rack by a thumb-screw 9. These cutters may be made of several sizes to correspond to the various-sized cans on the market.

10 denotes the hand-lever, which is provided with a segmental gear 12, meshing with the toothed rack 7 and thisleveris fulcrumed on a stud-bolt 13, adjustably secured in the slotted upright 14 by means of the clamping-plates 15 15, the inner faces of which are serrated to grip the contiguous faces of the slotted standard and insure a firm grip.

16 16 denote the clamping-jaws, swiveled on the inner ends of the threaded crankarms 17 17, adjustably secured in the standards 2 2.

The manner of operating the cutter is to first raise the hand-lever and place the can between the clamps, which are then tightened up to hold the can in place. The lever is thenbrought down with a rm movement, and the pointed ends of the cutter pierce the top of the can, leaving a thin web or rib connecting the cover and the can and which serves to hold the cut portion lwhile the cutter is being withdrawn from the can.

It will of course be understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacriicing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with the base-plate 1 and standards 2 2 and 3, the latter terminating in a slotted extension 14; of the grooved guide-post 6 supported by said standards 2 2, the rack 7 having a sliding engagement with said guide-post, the hand-lever 10 adjustably fulcrumed'in said slotted extension, and the segmental gear 12 carried by said lever and in mesh with said rack, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with the base-plate 1, the standards 2 2 and 3, the latter formed with a slotted extension 14; of the clampingjaws 1616 adjustably mounted in said standards2 2, the grooved guide-post 6, and the diagonal converging braces connecting said standards 2 2 and guide-post, the toothed rack 7 having a reciprocating' engagement with said guide-post, the cylindrical cutter 8 T. J. RICHMOND, JR.l

Witnesses:

H. B. ADAMS, .1. A. HELTEEBEANE. 

